System for regulating temperature of water within a food, ice, beverage cooler, or the like

ABSTRACT

A cooling system for containers holding chilled foods and beverages within chilled water, is defined by a thermally insulated cooler or other chilling vessel including a quantity of ice, water, food, and/or beverages, and a safely comestible liquid having a lower freezing point than water mixed in the water, the chilling vessel having an input conduit and an output conduit originating in the vicinity of the chilling vessel. In thermal communication with input and output conduits of the chilling vessel is an endothermic element for removal of heat from a defined ambient geometry about the endothermic element, the ambient geometry forming a part of a liquid loop including liquids within the chilling vessel and the endothermic element. Also included is a thermostat in thermoelectric communication between the chilling vessel output conduit and a compressor within the refrigeration circuit, the thermostat for regulating a power input to the compressor to control a temperature of re-circulated liquids to the chilling vessel to a temperature suitable for comestibles stored within liquids in the chilling vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Area of Invention

The present invention relates to a system, apparatus and method for theliquid cooling of an insulated or uninsulated vessel, such as a cooler,and maintaining foods and beverages therein at a suitable temperature,in which the source of liquid cooling is located externally of thechilling vessel.

2. Prior Art

A longstanding problem with coolers has been maintaining ice and watertherein at a suitable temperature, over a period of time. The contentsof the cooler are exposed to the general ambient atmospheric temperaturethus, the ice therein will inevitably melt and the temperature of theremaining liquid, typically water, will rise to a level that will causethe food or beverages within the cooler to become unfit for humanconsumption or cause the food or beverages to lose their desired flavor,this typically occurs at temperatures above 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Aparallel problem exists in the case of ice chests and ice tubs of thetype typically used in commercial establishments, bars and restaurants,backyard picnics, catered events, theme parks, marine craft, and thelike.

Similar problems are prevalent in an industrial context and ingovernmental and hospital food preparation/serving facilities, andmilitary canteens.

A problem also often presents itself in the transportation of bags ofice to coolers. The mere transportation and maintenance of a sufficientquantity of ice necessary to keep food and beverages at a desiredtemperature presents various problems including time, labor, and thecost of energy needed to make and keep ice on hand. The presentinvention can also function as a means of maintaining packaged ice bystoring the packaged ice in a special purpose container within thechilling vessel.

Conventional solutions to such issues appear in the art in severalforms, however, they amount to nothing more than the incorporation of anevaporative heat exchanger into the chilling vessel or ice chest itself.In such solutions the refrigeration load of the food and beverageswithin the primary chilling vessel or cooler must be addressed by directthermal transfer from the evaporator coils. Further, such a solutionentails incremental energy and equipment costs that are impractical forbackyard, marine, and outdoor venue applications.

The use of endothermic heat exchangers, often termed barrel chillers orevaporators, is known in the art. However, to the knowledge of theinventor, such use has primarily been an integral part of otherindustries and applications.

Regarding specific prior art, as is known to the inventor, no effortshave been made to employ more than one liquid coolant as part of arefrigerative cooling system which is external to a traditionalrefrigeration circuit, for the purpose of cooling foods, inclusive ofbeverages and is in direct contact with the items being cooled. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,552 (1990) to Adams teaches a coolingsystem which employs a chiller coil of glycol for the chilling ofbeverage lines of remotely dispensed beverages. Adams does not reflectthe structure or purpose of the inventor's system and method. Adams'system is not intended for cooling packaged food or beverages and thecooling liquid is not in direct contact with the items being cooled.U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,108 (1998) to Cleland teaches a glycol chillermachine in which the glycol is chilled by a heat exchanger and isprovided in the immediate proximity to liquid lines at a beveragedispensing location. Therein, glycol operates as the sole heat exchangemedium and, as well, the system of Cleland is not applicable to generalpurpose food and beverage coolers as are typically used in arecreational or bottled beverage context. Cleland's system is notintended for cooling packaged food or beverages and the cooling liquidis not in direct contact with the items being cooled. U.S. Pat. No.6,722,147 (2004) to Heyl teaches the use of a glycol/refrigerant heatexchanger in a motor vehicle context and, as such, is intended toenhance the operation of the auto's air conditioning and heatingsystems, given the low specific heat of glycol relative to water. Theuse of a glycol/refrigerant heat exchanger is thus able to enhance theefficiency of both the cooling and heating functions within a car. U.S.Pat. No. 7,231,778 (2007) to Rigney teaches a cooling system for acommercial aircraft galley and thereby addresses a persistent problem incatering upon aircraft, namely, that of providing sufficient thermalvalues, whether heating or cooling in character, to the serving cart onthe aircraft which, after a period of time, tends to approach theambient temperature of the passenger compartment in the absence of acontinual input of thermal values at a desired temperature and theliquid is not in direct contact with the beverages. Rigney's system isintended for cooling packaged food or beverages but the cooling fluid isnot in direct contact with the items being cooled.

PCT Publication WO 2007029074 to Guadalupi teaches a cooling system forbeverages in which glycol is maintained as a separate heat exchangefluid from water and functions as a means by which the water may bemaintained at a desired temperature by negative thermal values from adiscrete glycol circuit. Guadalupi's system is not intended for coolingpackaged food or beverages and the cooling fluid is not in directcontact with the items being cooled.

The present invention thereby provides an improvement in both functionand efficiency over the art in the area of coolers, chilling vessels,food coolers, and combinations thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the use of an endothermic heat exchanger as theevaporation component of an otherwise conventional refrigerationcircuit. Through the use of an endothermic heat exchanger, or barrelchiller, as the evaporator element of the refrigeration circuit, aninput conduit of water from a chilling vessel, cooler, ice tub, or likevessel may be provided to supply to the endothermic heat exchanger,external to its evaporative coils by which the primary function of thebarrel chiller of withdrawing heat is accomplished. The volume of waterin the chilling vessel is generally equal to or greater than the volumeof the geometry of the barrel chiller. A thermostat may be used tocontrol the compressor on the refrigeration circuit by which thermalwork of the evaporator is performed. Therein, the temperature of theliquid within the chilling vessel and input of the barrel chiller iscontinually monitored and adjusted, i.e., the endothermic function ofthe evaporator coils of the barrel chiller are controlled such that theliquid outlet thereof, external of its coils, provides a liquid input tothe chilling vessel at a temperature sufficient to maintain the food andbeverages therein at a temperature that is safe for consumption andoptimal in taste. The liquid in the geometry of the barrel chilleremploys a minimum of energy within the refrigeration circuitparticularly, if added to the primary liquid (typically water), is aquantity of glycol or other such FDA approved consumable liquid having aspecific heat lower than that of water. As a result, a liquid output ofthe endothermic heat exchanger or barrel chiller can be maintained at atemperature under the freezing point of water or, if desired, at atemperature slightly thereabove, for reduced consumption of energy. In apreferred embodiment, the system is standalone, occupies only a fewcubic feet and may be located beneath or otherwise in close proximity tothe chilling vessel. An appropriate circulation pump assures asufficient liquid flow within the circuit about the evaporator coils inthe endothermic heat exchanger, and flow of water through the chillingvessel at a sufficient velocity to assure that liquid therein will notfreeze even if its temperature is less than that of the freezing pointof water.

Substantially the same effect as glycol may be accomplished byincreasing the flow inside the barrel chiller so that circulating water,with or without glycol, may be chilled to a sub-freezing temperaturewithin the barrel chiller and then circulated to the chilling vessel.

Other embodiments are also set forth herein.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide animprovement to a cooler, ice tub, or like vessel of any size, in whichwater and/or other liquids within the chilling vessel can preservepackaged foods and beverages stored therewith, while the temperature inthe chilling vessel is maintained without the use of ice over its periodof use.

It is another object to provide an improved method for cooling a vesselof the above type having application in commercial establishments, barsand restaurants, backyard picnics, catered events, theme parks, marinecraft, and the like. A further object is to provide a system and methodof the above type by which the contents of the chilling vessel may, ifdesired, be cooled to temperatures below that of atmospheric freezingwithout concern that the water or other liquid therein may itselffreeze.

It is another object to provide a system and method of the above type inwhich the chilling of the liquid and comestible contents of a chillingvessel may be maintained at a desired temperature at a lesser energycost than that of incorporating evaporative elements of a conventionalice machine into the chilling vessel itself.

A further object is to provide a system of the above type that providesgeneral ease of cleaning and/or maintenance of the system. Anantibacterial solution can be introduced into the water flow andcirculated, allowing for effective sanitizing of the chilling vessel.Larger chilling vessel systems, such as the type used in bars andrestaurants, can be set automatically to clean at any time, drain, andrefill themselves eliminating man power and downtime used to clean thechilling vessel. A UV light cartridge can also be installed in thereturn lines to remove bacteria from the water on a continuing basis,making the chilling vessel more hygienic and safer than ice machines,ice tubs, and prior art coolers.

The above and further objects include the provision of a system having avolume suitable for commercial use, marine, medical and various militaryuses, where the maintenance of a fluid, solids, or other materials at agiven low temperature, at ambient atmospheric pressure, is a systemrequirement.

The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill became apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description ofthe Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention, and Claims appendedherewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating the general principles of arefrigeration circuit.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagrammatic view of the invention and its liquid andrefrigeration circuits. This represents a stand-alone unit, requiringonly a power input to the compressor.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual schematic view of the interior portions of anendothermic heat exchanger such as a barrel chiller suitable for use inthe present system.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the inventionwhich provides an air cooling capability to the system

FIG. 5 is a flow diagrammatic view of a variation of the embodiment ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagrammatic view of a multiple chilling vesselembodiment of the system of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a conceptual view of arefrigeration circuit. Therein is shown a compressor 10 which, on thehigh pressure side of the circuit is shown condenser 12 which typicallytakes the form of a condensing coil 14 and associated fan (see FIG. 2).From condenser 12, a liquefied refrigerant 15 proceeds to expansionvalve (EV) 16 to an evaporator 18 which, in a preferred embodiment,takes the form of a barrel chiller. A barrel chiller is an endothermicheat exchanger which is offered by various vendors inclusive of RK2Systems, Pentair, Aqua Logic, and Standard Refrigeration. It is howeverto be understood that other forms of heat exchangers may be employed asequivalents of a barrel chiller. From barrel chiller 18 a refrigerantline 30 supplies compressor 10 with refrigerant.

A representative barrel chiller is shown schematically in FIG. 3. As maybe noted, the barrel chiller contains a plurality of internal coils 20which may be spiral or essentially flat and within which is lowpressure, low temperature refrigerant, causing an absorption of heat Q(shown schematically in FIG. 3) from circulated water or liquid. Thatis, barrel chiller 18, filled with low temperature coils 20, will absorbheat Q from liquid or water 22. The liquid is typically provided tobarrel chiller 18 from liquid input 26. (See FIG. 2). Liquid 22 thenexits chiller 18 at output 24 to transport liquid 22 to a cooler 21 viaconduit 25 to locations where chilled water or liquid is required tomaintain a desired temperature of food or beverages in chilling vessel21. Also shown in FIG. 1-3 is a typical location of a refrigerant outlet30 between barrel chiller 18 and compressor 10.

In regard to FIG. 2, the present system and method preferably employ amixture of glycol and water as the liquid chilling medium within are-circulating liquid circuit including insulated cooler 21, outputconduits 23A/23B, pump 27, conduit 23 though chiller inlet 26, to theinterior of the barrel chiller 18 but external to coils 20, and coolerinput conduit 25 from chiller outlet 24. Thereby, liquid 22 may bemaintained at temperatures well below freezing, such as 28 degreesFahrenheit because of the lower specific heat of glycol relative towater. That is, glycol is able to absorb more heat per unit volume thancan water and, by the same token, it is capable of expelling more heatper unit volume to the cooling coils 20 within the geometry of thebarrel chiller as shown in FIG. 3. A result of the addition of an FDAapproved liquid such as glycol or ethanol is that barrel chiller 18 isable to cool the chilling liquid 22 of the open loop liquid circuit asabove-described, to temperatures below freezing which otherwise wouldnot be possible in a cooler vessel without high water flow, regardlessof how efficiently refrigerated, since liquid water can never fall to atemperature below 32 degrees F. at atmospheric pressure.

A particular advantage of the present system is that the need to keepextra ice that often occurs at picnics and outdoor events, as well as onmarine craft, is completely eliminated since an endless supply of liquidat, near, or below freezing is herein provided. Certain foods andbeverages are tastier at temperatures slightly above freezing, (e.g.,are optimal in flavor at about 34 degrees F. for beer). However,sufficient melting of ice in an insulated ice cooler presents a constantissue, as does ambient temperature when the covering of the cooler isopen, that inevitably will cause enough ice to melt to cause thetemperature of beer, soda, foods, and other temperature-sensitivecomestibles to either lose their flavor or become completely unsafe forhuman consumption. Accordingly, through use of the present invention, asabove described, the need to continually re-fill insulated ice-holdingcoolers with ice is completely obviated. Further, if one wishes topreserve the solid condition of ice, one may place smaller containers ofice within a larger insulated chilling vessel of the typeabove-described to prevent ice or ice cubes within such containers frommelting as quickly. At many social events, mixed drinks are served whichrequire conventional ice cubes. Accordingly, by confining such ice cubesto a sub-container within a larger chilling vessel, one can assure thatice will never be wasted through unwanted melting thereof.

It should be appreciated that the input and output conduits 26 and 24respectively may readily be reversed in a given configuration of abarrel chiller. For example, the barrel chiller may be inverted relativeto the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and, as well, can function in ahorizontal orientation. Similarly, a supplemental pump, similar to pump27, may be added to the input line 25 of the chilling vessel 21.

It is also noted that the use of glycol may be eliminated by increasingthe flow of the interior of the outer geometry of the endothermic heatexchanger or barrel chiller 18 external of the internal coils 20. SeeFIG. 3. This will alter the thermodynamics of the barrel chiller suchthat the coils within the chiller can absorb enough heat from the waterto hyper-chill the water while still in a liquid state, that is, withoutfreezing. Thereafter, hyper-chilled water is pumped through outlet 24into conduit 25 and then into chilling vessel 21, substantially chillingwater 22 in the chilling vessel, although crystals of ice may form asthe hyper-chilled water is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

In FIG. 4 is shown a further embodiment of the invention. Therein, inputconduit 25 to the chilling vessel 21 splits into a further liquid line34 and therefrom, following solenoid 9, to liquid line 34A and intothermal contact about external evaporator 36 and fan 38 which draws airfrom the local ambient air and removes heat therefrom. Air is cooled,then re-introduced through a small duct, cooling the immediatesurrounding area and providing a significant cooling capability. Liquidoutput 40 is then connected to cooler output line 23B which, throughpump 27, is then re-introduced into barrel chiller by line 23A.

In FIG. 5 is shown a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in whichthere is provided a second pump 44 which powers a second water loopthrough conduit 46 from water 22 in vessel 21, to said pump 44, viaconduit 41 through evaporator 36, and output line 40 back to vessel 21.By this method enhanced chilling may be provided to water 22 in vessel21, as well as the benefit of external cooling by evaporator 36.

In FIG. 6 is shown an embodiment of the system of FIG. 2 adapted forcommercial use in which multiple chilling vessels 21A and 21B areemployed. As may be seen, this embodiment functions off of liquid lines48 and 50 of the basic system off of line 25, which supplies vessels 21Aand 21B with water 22A and 22B respectively. Outputs from vessels 21Aand 21B are accomplished through lines 52 and 54 and, through manifolds56A and 56B, return to vessel output line 23B, through ananti-germicidal cartridge 43 and to pump 27 which supplies water throughline 42 to barrel chiller 18. The function of input line 25 remainsunchanged from prior embodiments.

Also shown in FIG. 6 is float 45 by which the level of water 22, 22A and22B in vessels 21, 21A, and 21B may be monitored and maintained bycontrol of input lines 25, 48 and 50 by the use of solenoid 9. (See FIG.4.) Such a float may be employed in all embodiments of the invention.

While there has been shown and described above the preferred embodimentof the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention maybe embodied otherwise than is herein and that, within said embodiment,certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the partswithout departing from the underlying ideas or principles of thisinvention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.

1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. The system as recited in claim 34, inwhich said evaporator comprises: a barrel chiller in which the liquidsurrounding the coils operates above atmospheric pressure.
 4. The systemas recited in claim 35, in which said water further comprising: alower-than-water freezing point comestible liquid including a glycol. 5.(canceled)
 6. The system as recited in claim 35, further comprising: aliquid pump within said liquid loop to enhance re-circulation of saidliquid within all segments of said liquid loop.
 7. (canceled)
 8. Thesystem as recited in claim 34, in which said water further comprises aconcentration of glycol therein.
 9. The system as recited in claim 34,in which said water further comprises a concentration of a humanconsumable liquid having a specific heat lower than that of water. 10.The system as recited in claim 34, further comprising: said thermostatconnected circuit operating as a function of a desired temperature ofsaid body of water in said vessel, to regulate a power input to acompressor of said refrigeration circuit as a function of a desiredtemperature of said body of water.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The system asrecited in claim 10, in which said evaporator comprises: a barrelchiller in which water surrounding the coils advances at aboveatmospheric pressure due to the function of said pump.
 13. (canceled)14. A method of maintaining a selectable temperature of water within afood and beverage chilling vessel, comprising the steps of: (a)providing a refrigeration circuit including an endothermic heatexchanger having a defined external geometry; (b) providing a waterrecirculation loop having an input and output to water within saidchilling vessel, the loop including, as a segment thereof, an interiorof said defined external geometry of said endothermic heat exchanger,said loop in thermal communication therewith; (c) pumping water of saidrecirculation loop into said endothermic heat exchanger at a pressuresufficient to effect its output therefrom after said thermalcommunication has occurred; and (d) employing a thermostat to regulate apressure input of fluid in said refrigeration circuit to saidendothermic heat exchanger sufficient to maintain a negative thermalexchange from said water of said re-circulating loop to said heatexchanger to maintain a temperature of said water in said chillingvessel at a desired temperature.
 15. The method as recited in claim 14,further comprising the step of: adding to said water a quantity of anFDA approved comestible liquid having, at atmospheric pressure, a lowerfreezing point than water, wherein a resultant mixture of liquidsthereby expels additional heat to said heat exchanger, generating aliquid output having a sub-freezing temperature.
 16. The method asrecited in claim 14, further comprising the step of: furnishing apressure to said internal geometry of said endothermic heat exchanger,external to said cooling coils, said pressure higher than atmosphericpressure, wherein enhanced absorption of heat from liquids within saidinternal geometry is thereby enhanced, enabling hyper-cooling of suchliquids to below an atmospheric freezing point of water.
 17. The methodas recited in claim 14, further comprising the steps of: (c) splitting aliquid output of said endothermic heat exchanger into two channels, onecontinuing as an input to said chilling vessel and a second channelcomprising a liquid input in thermal contact with coils of an externalevaporator coil; (d) providing a liquid output, of said second channelafter thermal contact with said coils, to the output conduit from saidchilling vessel; and (e) providing an output duct from said fan to coolthe immediate surrounding area.
 18. The system as recited in claim 15,further comprising the steps of: (c) splitting a liquid output of saidendothermic heat exchanger into two channels, one continuing as an inputto said chilling vessel and a second channel comprising a liquid inputin thermal contact with coils of an external evaporator; (d) providing aliquid output, of said second channel after thermal contact with saidcoils, to the output conduit from said chilling vessel; and (e)providing an output duct from said fan to cool the immediate surroundingarea.
 19. The system as recited in claim 7, further comprising: anexternal evaporator in selectable fluid communication with said outputof said barrel chiller, whereby stand-alone cooling of ambient air maybe obtained.
 20. The system as recited in claim 7, further comprising:an external evaporator having an input in liquid communication with asecond input conduit of said chilling vessel, and having an output inliquid communication to a second output conduit to said chilling vessel.21. The system as recited in claim 34, further comprising: at least oneadditional vessel provided with respective inputs and outputs throughmanifolds from and to respective input and output conduits of saidvessel, said inputs and outputs balanced to maintain uniform liquidlevels in each of said vessels.
 22. The system as recited in claim 35,in which said selectable segment of said liquid return line comprises awater output of said defined geometry external of said endothermicelement.
 23. (canceled)
 24. The system as recited in claim 34, in whicha refrigerant circuit and said water path are physically but notthermally isolated from each other.
 25. (canceled)
 26. The system forchilling foods or beverages of claim 35, said second end of said firstwater conduit positioned with respect to the storage area of a containerto permit the reduced temperature water traveling through the firstliquid conduit to the liquid storage area of the container above acurrent water surface level of the liquid already disposed within thefluid storage area.
 27. The system for chilling foods or beverages ofclaim 35, the first end of the second liquid conduit positioned withinthe liquid storage area of the container and submerged under a surfaceof the fluid disposed within the fluid storage area.
 28. The system forchilling foods or beverages of claim 27, said evaporator mechanicallyindependent of the container, the evaporator neither contacting thecontainer nor secured to it.
 29. The system of claim 35, furthercomprising: a float disposed within the container, for monitoring andmaintaining an amount of liquid disposed within the container throughcontrol of liquid flowing through the first flow conduit.
 30. The systemof claim 10, further comprising: a thermostat in communication with saidinternal volume of the housing of the evaporator external to its coils,determining the temperature of the fluid within said internal volume andsending power control signals to the compressor to regulate a degree ofcompression of fluid in the refrigeration circuit.
 31. The system asrecited in claim 3, in which said internal volume of a coil portion ofthe refrigerant circuit and said defined geometry of said conduit arephysically, but not thermally, isolated from each other.
 32. (canceled)33. The system for chilling foods or beverages of claim 35, said fluidreturn line further including: a pump; the second end of the secondliquid conduit in fluid communication with the pump; and a third conduithaving a first end and a second end, the first end of the third liquidconduit in communication with the pump and the second end of the thirdconduit secured to the liquid inlet of the evaporator, the third conduitin liquid communication with the internal region of the evaporator,delivering the liquid returning from the liquid storage area of thecontainer back to the internal region of the evaporator, external ofsaid coils.
 34. A cooling system for volume and location-specific liquiddelivery to a vessel holding chilled comestibles, the system comprising:(a) a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator surrounded by aliquid-tight external jacket having a defined volume substantiallysimilar in radial dimension to that of coils of said evaporator andhaving a fluid tight input of pressurized water external to saidrefrigeration circuit at a first temperature and a fluid tight output ofwater at a second temperature lower than that of said first temperature,a difference between temperatures resulting from absorption of heat fromliquid circulating within said jacket external of said coils therein,said liquid equal in volume to said defined volume within said externaljacket less a volume of said coils; (b) said vessel physically remotefrom said evaporator, having a normally open top and holding comestibleswithin a body of water, the body of water in atmospheric communicationand at atmospheric pressure, said open top of said vessel of sufficientsize to facilitate ease of insertion of various foods, of beveragebottles and a human hand thereinto and to the bottom of said body ofwater, said vessel having an output conduit in liquid communication withan inlet to said evaporator jacket and having an input conduit in fluidcommunication with said liquid outlet of said evaporator jacket; (c) apump for circulating said water between said output conduit of saidvessel into said evaporator jacket and therefrom to said input conduitof said vessel; and (d) a thermostat in thermoelectric communicationbetween a selectable segment of water of said system and a compressor ofsaid refrigeration circuit.
 35. A system for chilling foods or beveragesdisposed within a container having a liquid disposed therein, saidliquid in direct contact with said foods and beverages, said systemcomprising: (a) a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator definingan internal volume, one or more coils of the refrigerant circuitdisposed within said internal volume of said evaporator, said volumepressurized, said evaporator having a fluid-tight inlet and afluid-tight outlet in communication with said internal volume of saidevaporator, external to said coils; (b) a first liquid conduit having afirst end and a second end, the first end of the first liquid conduit incommunication with said pressurized internal volume of the evaporator,the second end of the first liquid conduit adapted for positioning withrespect to said container positioned physically remote from saidevaporator, liquid entering the first liquid conduit from the evaporatorflowing out of the second end of the first liquid conduit and into aliquid storage region of said container, said second end deliveringreduced temperature fluid from the evaporator external of its coils tothe container in which reduced temperature liquid is continuouslyavailable for chilling such foods or beverages that are disposed in theliquid storage region of the container, said liquid entering said firstconduit defining a volume substantially equal to said internal volume ofthe evaporator external to its evaporator coils; and (c) a liquid returnline for returning liquid disposed within the liquid storage region areato the evaporator, said liquid return line including a second liquidconduit having a first end and a second end, the first end of the secondliquid conduit positioned within the liquid storage region of thecontainer closer to a bottom of the fluid storage area than to a top ofthe fluid storage region.